Building on the success of two previous editions since 2022, the third edition of the African Start-up Conference will commence on Thursday at the Abdelatif Rahal International Conference Center (CIC) in Algiers. This year’s conference emphasizes Artificial Intelligence while promoting a robust business climate and entrepreneurship in Algeria and across Africa.
Under the patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the event is organized by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-Enterprises, in collaboration with the public accelerator “Algeria Venture.” The conference anticipates participation from over 25,000 attendees, including 45 ministers from various African nations, more than 500 start-ups, and 100 investors representing 50 African countries.
The gathering will also feature six ancillary events and approximately thirty conferences, with more than 200 experts participating, making it “the largest event of its kind in Africa,” according to the organizers.
Held under the theme “Reimagine Africa with AI,” the conference aims to underscore the importance of innovation and cutting-edge technologies in fostering economic and social development throughout the continent.
Over the course of three days, participants will have access to lectures, workshops, and professional networking sessions designed to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding AI development in Africa, as well as strategies for transforming innovative ideas into tangible impacts that promote sustainable development.
Conferences led by speakers from 35 countries will address topics such as the data economy, AI in digital cities, big data, blockchain, cybersecurity, health applications of AI, and a variety of related fields.
This edition of the African Start-up Conference will also feature a prominent technology exhibition showcasing the latest innovations and advancements in artificial intelligence, allowing attendees to explore new products and solutions while engaging with leading companies in the sector.
Moreover, an African Venture Capital Summit will be held during the event, providing a platform for investors and innovative entrepreneurs to discuss funding and collaboration opportunities. A National AI Strategy Conference is also expected to outline a roadmap for Algeria’s integration of this technology across all sectors.
According to the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-Enterprises, this third edition seeks to evaluate the implementation of the roadmap and charter established in previous editions and to formulate a new strategy for advancing AI in Africa.
The last edition of the conference, held in December 2023, culminated in the “Second Ministerial Declaration of Algiers on Start-up Development in Africa,” which included several recommendations such as the establishment of a permanent secretariat for the African Start-up Conference tasked with creating a comprehensive strategy to foster these businesses in Africa and address the issue of brain drain.
Since its inaugural edition in 2022, the African Start-up Conference has achieved remarkable success, facilitating the formation of strategic partnerships and the development of innovative programs aimed at supporting start-ups throughout Africa.
Algeria currently boasts 8,000 start-ups, of which 2,000 have been awarded the “Start-up” label. Additionally, there are 20,000 young individuals holding self-employed status.
